Cumberland County deputies say Christopher Demetrius Frederick, 16, of Sanford and Cornelius Gordon Campbell, 16, of Fayetteville, ordered pizza from Papa John's on Highway 24. They gave a vacant house in the Baywood area as their address.
Authorities said when Kenneth Maybin, 43, of Fayetteville, showed up with the food, the teens robbed and beat him. Maybin is listed in critical condition. Investigators would not say how much money Maybin had, but, call it "pocket change."
Frederick and Campbell have been charged with attempted first-degree murder and robbery with a dangerous weapon. Authorities said both teens have been in trouble with the law before. They are currently behind bars on $250,000 bond each.
Detectives do not think the teens know Maybin. They believe the duo just wanted to rob whoever came to the door.
"I think that he was just the unlucky pizza guy that was called to this house," said Debbie Tanna, spokeswoman for the Cumberland County Sheriff's Office.
"I really, and truly, feel sorry for (Maybin) and pray for him," said Vonnie Harmon, who lives near the crime scene.
Gene Baranowski was Maybin's boss as a different pizza restaurant for six years. He calls Maybin a great employee.
"I can't believe that someone's going to beat somebody over $20 or $25 and a piece of dough with some sauce and cheese on it, you know," he said.
Jurgen Stanley, Maybin's current boss, called his employee an ideal worker.
"You never ever have a driver get robbed during the daytime," he said.
The first court appearance for Frederick and Campbell is scheduled for Monday morning.
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